Founder’s Place decision delayed until October

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities, has received the inspector's report but before making a decision she is awaiting representations concerning the impact of the proposed development on river views from Lambeth and Westminster Bridges.

In a letter to interested parties it is explained that the London View Management Framework has been published since the public inquiry. The Minister considers the river prospects from Westminster and Lambeth bridges, as defined in the Framework, to have relevance in this case.

Founder's Place, a controversial development proposed for land alongside the north end of Archbishop's Park, was refused planning permission by Lambeth Council. However, the scheme's promoter Guy's and St Thomas' Charity, decided to appeal and a public enquiry sat at Brixton Town Hall from 17 April to 14 May.

A decision had been expected at the end of July. The minister is now likely to consider the report and the latest representations in September and make her ruling known in early October.